Florence County Magistrate Rena White was charged Friday in connection with allegations that she accepted narcotics from a relative on trial, as well as from a witness.

The charges of misconduct in office follow a four-month investigation by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI.

“We stand ready to prosecute the case in the solicitor’s office, but it may be prosecuted federally,” 4th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements said.

The investigation continues, he said.

Authorities served White warrants Friday evening in Effingham, Clements said.

She was released Friday night after Florence County Chief Magistrate Eugene Cooper set a personal recognizance bond of $20,000, Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Tucker said.

White normally sets bond at the Florence County Detention Center, where she was booked, Tucker said.

If White had been denied bond, authorities would’ve taken her to another jail to avoid any possible retaliations by inmates for whom she might have set or denied bond, Tucker said.

White, a first-term magistrate, is accused of taking narcotics from a relative who had criminal charges pending in Florence County’s magistrate court, as well as from another witness in the same case, according to a press release from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation also revealed White used her job repeatedly to “knowingly and willfully” get favorable treatment for the same relative, according to the press release.

The evidence was discovered through confidential informants who also supplied video and audio surveillance of White, Clements said.

“While the (Florence County Sheriff’s Office) regrets that this investigation has uncovered criminal conduct committed by a magistrate who took an oath to uphold the law, this arrest in no way impugns the integrity of the other Florence County Magistrates,” the sheriff’s office press release states.

The allegations were investigated by Glen Kirby, a narcotics officer with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office; Johnny Bartell of SLED; and Vince Flamini, an FBI special agent, Clements said.

White’s term as a Florence County magistrate began April 30, 2002, and is set to expire April 30 of this year, according to the state Senate journal June 4, 2003.